Entry 14 – October/November – 2025 Brisbane to Adelaide
drive – part 2
Departing Pilliga Hot Artesian Pool we reversed our normal
procedure. Usually, when travelling, we aim to set camp by around 3pm in the
afternoon. We found it hard to depart Pilliga, soaking up its provided benefits
for as long as possible. In this instance we were waiting for the latest
weather forecast to be announced, usually around 4pm. With confirmation of
predicted rain overnight, we headed for a safe location in case the predicted 30
millimetres of hazardous rain did eventuate.
We departed Pilliga around 4.10pm. There was a sense of
nervousness driving around this time of day. We were on alert, watching for
kangaroos coming out to feed. Within the first minute of commencing driving we
encountered our first hazard.
Down the road a bit we set camp for the night at an unpublicized
locale. For us it was a great location and we were even happier to have access
to potable water.
At locations like this we like to minimise embarrassment
to ourselves and others. We had parked up after all the nearby workers had
departed for the day. Our alarm was set for a wake up at 6.30 am, and we departed
very early in the morning.
We had deliberated over several alternate routes to
continue our journey to Adelaide.
There was a need of consideration for the forecasted wet
weather conditions and its effects in off road locations. We chose to travel
along paved roads, heading south to the town of Parkes and then west to nearby
the township of Condobolin. It was another route not previously travelled by
us.
Heading south through the town of Dubbo, we experienced
busy traffic conditions. When we endured a heavy period of rain it elevated the
hazardous driving conditions.
There was no need for us to endure these types of driving
conditions. We turned off the main highway, heading for the Parkes Observatory.
It was a good location to wait for the rain to pass. There was a bonus of a
large bitumized carpark.
We stretched out our legs with a look around the
facility. There was a great shop full of science related products. We obtained
some different Christmas presents for our grandchildren.
After dishing out unexpected money, Steve ushered Mary
back to the caravan where he appeased her with a hot chocolate drink and some
tucker. This was followed by a little siesta, to outwit the psychological
effect of the early morning start.
Once the rain had subsided, we continued our driving. It
wasn’t long before we left the main highway and headed west. It was good to get
away from the main highway, and we appreciated the drop in the volume of
traffic about.
We set camp at Gum Bend Lake camping
area, nearby the town of Condoblin. It was a nice setting.
Early morning, prior the sun’s appearance above the
horizon, we were woken each morning by the loud chorus of kookaburras around
us.
Once the kookaburra’s rested up, the local crows would
start up, making sure we stayed awake.
It was a great setting and very annoying at the same
time!
With Steve wide awake, he set off to inform the
kookaburras and crows, of our annoyance. Thus, providing an opportunity to
obtain the above short videos. There were a couple of hares bounding about. The
reflections on the still lake surface did look good.
There was an easy walking path around the lake. At about
4 kilometres in length, it provided a satisfying work out. At one stage during
one of our circuits walking, we came across a crow teasing a brown snake. We
stayed back quite the distance, only proceeding when the snake escaped down the
embankment.
Condoblin had a great modern information centre. The
nearby paddock was full of “utes,” all with a different artistic touch.
With warm weather forecast, we decided to depart Gum Bend
Lake on a Friday morning, avoiding the weekend crowds and the noise of speed
boats circumnavigating the lake.
Our next stop down the road a bit was at Lake Cargelligo,
setting camp at Dead Mans Point. It was a nicely grassed area with lovely
views.
Lake Cargelligo was another nice little town with some
art about.
Dead Mans Point felt better with the passing of each day.
Initially the warm weather and the presence of plenty of pelicans nearby on the
lake provided a feel-good setting. Many other campers were pleasurable chatting
with.
From the comfort of our bed, we enjoyed many different
sunrises.
After a few lovely days at Dead Mans Point the weather
forecast changed, with a prediction of two days rain. We researched various
points of interest down the road along our planned route. The nicely grassed
surface at Dead Mans Point seemed to be a more favourable surface to camp up on
during a period of wet.
Thus, we extended our time at Dead Mans Point another two
days. It was a good decision as the predicted rain did eventuate and we avoided
probable embarrassment of sticky, boggy clay surfaces not only coming in
contact with our vehicle’s wheels, but also its effects on our footwear and
clothing.
The ambient air temperature was still quite warm, prior to
the arrival of the cold front. Steve gave the caravan and tow tug a quick wash
down with a bucket of water. About a half hour later the rain arrived, and he
was happy with the final rinse off provided by the fresh rain water.
The rain helped to provide a milder temperature where we
could comfortably exercise with a walk towards town. Some of the locals came out
to greet us.
Leaving Lake Cargelligo we stopped at the town of
Hillston. It was a nice looking, cared for town with some art work about. There
didn’t seem to be much “human,” activity along the main street. We looked at a
free camp on the outskirts of town located next to a seemingly stagnate river. It
was a bit noisy with the turn off for the heavy vehicles bypass road nearby.
Hillston seemed to lack the charisma, which didn’t attract us to stay.
We decided to head onwards down the road, setting camp
for a couple of nights at one of our favourite campgrounds, Sandy Point in the
township of Hay. There is a nice walking track alongside of the Murrumbidgee
River which is always a joyful experience. We even walked to the other side of
town where we enjoyed a lunch out, at the services club.
Down
the road a bit, around 100 kilometres, our next stop was at Yanga Conservation
Park, where we set camp in the Willows Campground.
The campground is just far enough away from the main
highway where we couldn’t hear any road noise. It had a satisfying, isolated
feel about it. There was an old shearing shed, from a bygone era when sheep
roamed this area around a 100 years ago. We did enjoy the experience of this
location all to ourselves for a couple of nights.
Our next stop was back in our home state of South
Australia. Over the last week we hadn’t stocked up with any fresh food. We had
concentrated on using up all our existing fresh food produce.
Entering South Australia, you are required to stop at a
quarantine station for inspection. The inspection officer opened the rear
passengers side car door and the rear hatch door inspecting the inside of our
vehicle for any fruit and vegetables. They entered the caravan, inspecting the
fridge contents, the pantry and overhead cupboards. It certainly was a thorough
inspection for any sign of fruit or vegetables which are banned from entering
South Australia.
We were entering the South Australian Riverland region,
quite a large fruit bowl producing location. They are very proactive for
maintaining a healthy biodiversity, including banning the entry of fresh
produce from outside areas.
We set camp at Crooked Straight camping area, located on
the banks of the River Murray. With our fridge bare of any fresh food, we had a
can of baked beans on toast for our evening meal. It was satisfying in a way,
though we do become complacent, opening the fridge door where we would normally
have many fresh food options available for selection.
This was our first experience at Crooked Straight Camping
Area. We had previously experienced many other locations around this area, most
being quite enjoyable.
At Crooked Straight camping area, there was great viewing
of the river with majestic river red gum trees all around us. We were able to
obtain our daily required solar intake. There was a constant background noise
of chirping birds. It was an all-round satisfying location. We thought this
might be our new favourite location on the River Murray.
We spent a few days at long-time friends, John and Kathy,
parking up at their home in the South Australian Riverland. We enjoyed time at
their local bowls club getting accustomed to some bowls.
It was time to head home. It was just under 300
kilometres down the road a bit. Over the last week we had been busy, arranging
medical appointments, ordering various items for the caravan, the tow tug and a
couple for ourselves. The tow tug was booked for stage one of an assessment of its
engine injector issues. Annoyingly the Toyota representatives had refused to
enlighten us of procedure each time we had asked.
As it transpired, we were required to leave the tow tug
with the dealer for the day. At days end they advised the diagnostic assessment
had confirmed there were issues with the engine injectors.
Next, the dealer would submit a report to Toyota
Australia and await a response. The response time line could take 2 to 10 days.
No, the dealer wouldn't book our tow tug repairs to commence
in about 2 weeks’ time. Reason provided, they don’t know of the time lines for
obtaining the required parts. When we questioned further, there was a hint the
dealer would need to make a special allocation for the required work and they
would require the tow tug for a week with a few extra days to clear various
fault codes, spasmodically appearing. Some of the drawbacks of our modern,
computer-controlled vehicles.
It was a wait and see. We were hopeful the issue would be
rectified by no later than early in the new year, having written off our hope
of a December fix.
To be continued.
